CHAPTER XVII
A GLAD SURPRISE
Doctor Joe stood at the doorway of the Institute. It was still inMadison Street, though it was to go up-town and be transformed into acollege. The girls came trooping out,--they were really girls then, andhad a deliciously girlish air.
"Oh, Joe!" cried Hanny, glancing up rather in amaze. What had happened?
He bowed gravely to some of her compeers. They thought Jim splendid; butthey stood a little in awe of grave Doctor Joe.
"I have come for you to go and make a call," he said. "Let me take yourbooks."
She glanced up the street.
"Oh, this isn't in style," he began laughingly. "I have neither coachnor four."
"Then we will have a nice walk. Where? Down at the Battery?"
She had such a sweet, eager face, and she was so easily pleased.
"We will go over to Broadway, first," he replied. "Then--well, whereveryou like."
So they chatted as they walked along, across City Hall Square, where thefountain was still playing on sunny days.
The Astor House was yet in its glory. She wondered a little, as theywalked up the stone steps, through the hall, and then up the thicklypadded stairs, and into the spacious parlour.
A lady, dressed in black, was standing by the window, and turnedsmilingly. Hanny was bewildered by a familiar likeness. Then a younggirl sprang up from the sofa; and Hanny caught a glint of golden curls,as she was clasped in the outstretched arms.
"Oh, Hanny!"
"Oh, Daisy!"
That was all they said for a moment or two. They cried a little, aspeople often do, out of pure gladness, and just hugged each othertighter.
"I was so afraid I never should see you again. Papa laughed. You know hehas crossed the ocean so many times. If I hadn't been coming home, Isuppose I shouldn't have been worried. But it seemed such a long, longwhile, and I was just crazy to see you, to get home. I don't believe Ishall ever really want to go abroad again."
Hanny raised her head from Daisy Jasper's shoulder. Oh, what a tall girlshe was! Her complexion was like pearl and blush roses; her hair was awonderful gold; and her eyes, somehow, suggested the starry heaven atnight. Hanny felt strangely abashed.
Then Mrs. Jasper claimed a greeting. Hanny knew that a year ago they hadlost Aunt Ellen, with an attack of fever. Mrs. Jasper looked ratherpale, but she had not changed.
"Why, you haven't grown a bit!" cried Daisy. "And look at me! You'llhave to go to German baths, and all that, to get a good start. What apity you did not go with us! I've had such a longing for girls. Youdon't get acquainted with them on the continent. They are always in theschool-room. And I am just hungry, all the way through, for some oneyoung and enthusiastic, and foolish and merry things to laugh at."
"But--I didn't know you were coming--"
"No, dear Doctor Joe kept the secret well. We did hope to be in onSaturday."
"Then _you_ knew?" and she looked half reproachfully at her brother.
He laughed. He had only done Daisy's bidding.
"Now, if you want to keep Hanny to dinner, I'll come down this evening.I have a few calls to make," he announced presently.
"Indeed we do. You have so many folks, you might give me Hanny," andDaisy glanced at Doctor Joe with a bright, arch smile.
"If you took Hanny, you would have to take father and me, sure. Theothers might squeeze along without her; but I am afraid they would getthin on it."
Then the Doctor nodded and went his way.
"Now that you have Hanny, I will go and unpack one of the trunks," saidMrs. Jasper.
Hanny and Daisy went down in the corner of the long apartment, and tookpossession of a _tete-a-tete_.
"Oh, you are so changed!" cried the little girl "And so--so beautiful!"
"And so well! That's the loveliest thing. I can take long walks anddance, think of that! I am only a little lame. Just the merest crook inmy back, and one leg a tiny bit shorter, but a thick sole makes it allright. And I've grown like a weed, while you are a tiny bit of somethingvery choice,--a dainty little white rose. And I am so glad to have youagain. Oh, don't let anything ever come between us! Let us be friendsall our lives long. I have brought you a beautiful ring to bindfriendship."
"Oh," sighed Hanny, in delight.
"And there have been so many changes! Oh, who do you think we met inLondon? Not Whittington and his cat, but Nora Whitney without her cat.And poor Pussy Gray is dead, and Nora is a tall young lady with asplendid voice, and will make a famous singer, I suppose. And Delia isgetting to be famous too, I hear. It is odd, but she doesn't suggest agenius to my mind. I think you often are disappointed in geniuses. Wesaw some while abroad, and they did not come up to my expectations, orelse one expects too much. Still there are some lovely faces."
"But she is just delightful! Only she keeps so busy, we do not see muchof her."
"And poor little Tudie! How sad it was! I can sympathise with her sisternow, for being an only child."
Then Hanny said Charlie had entered a theological seminary; and Daisyagreed being a clergyman would prove just the calling for him, he was soearnest and conscientious. Hanny had written everything, she thought;but Daisy was so eager to hear it all over again.
Mr. Jasper came in. He had been back and forth, and kept up the habit ofcalling on the Underhills, so nothing about Hanny surprised him.
The little girl felt rather startled when she went into the largedining-room. At this period, there were people who spent the wholeseason at the Astor House, though there were some newer hotels that werevery attractive. It was like a grand party, Hanny thought. The ladieswere so prettily attired, so bright and chatty.
When they went back to the parlour, that looked like a party, too. Hannyfelt very plain in her school-dress. There were a number of Mr. Jasper'sbusiness friends, that he brought up to introduce to his wife and thetwo girls. But they were so busy talking, that they hardly noticed anyone else.
Doctor Joe returned, armed with an invitation from Mrs. Underhill, forMrs. Jasper and Daisy, to come up and make them a visit; and Mrs. Jaspersaid she should be glad to go somewhere, and find an old-fashionedAmerican home-feeling. Daisy could hardly let Hanny go. Doctor Joeproposed that he should come for Daisy the next day, for she could notbe of any special service to her mother until some plans were decidedupon. That was a splendid thought.
They kissed and kissed, as if they were never to see each other again.Hanny's eyes were lustrous, and her cheeks pink with excitement. Andthere was so much to tell her mother.
"You must go to bed," declared Doctor Joe. "It is after ten."
"But, oh, my lessons! I have not looked at them."
"Never mind lessons now. You can get up early in the morning."
She was very tired, she had talked so much and listened so intently. Andin five minutes she was asleep, in spite of the unlearned lessons.
She studied every moment the next morning, and all the way down in thestage, and managed to get through. She was a very good scholarordinarily, and ambitious to have perfect recitations. But she keptcounting the hours, for she could hardly believe Daisy Jasper was reallyat home.
Joe brought her up to the house when he had finished his round of calls.He handed her out quite as if she was a stylish young lady, though shewas not in long gowns. But Joe was curiously proud of her, as being oneof his first cases.
Everybody gave her a cordial welcome. Jim was at once her most devoted.Mrs. Underhill soon concluded foreign ways had not spoiled her; andgrandmother said she was a pretty-behaved, intelligent girl. But, oh,the things she had seen, and done! She could talk French and German; shehad taken painting-lessons from real artists, and had some prettystudies for Hanny, in a box not yet unpacked. She had brought thefriendship ring, which was two tiny hands clasped over a sapphire withdiamond sparks around it. Hanny's eyes shone with delight; she wasgetting quite a collection in the way of gifts.
Daisy seemed to bring a fascinating atmosphere. She was not forward,indeed there
was often a pretty air of deprecation; but she had seen agood deal of society without being actually in it, and, since her aunt'sdeath, had been her mother's companion. Her different lessons had mostlybeen given at home, except those in oil-painting; and there was no airof schools about her. She was so ready to be entertaining, so fresh, andyet with a charming simplicity.
"I am so glad for Hanny to have such a friend," her mother said to theDoctor. "She hasn't seemed to take any one to her heart since we havebeen up here; and it does make her seem a bit old-fashioned to be somuch with elderly people."
"Yes. They seem to suit exactly."
Jim took them over to the Deans' one evening. Oh, what a merry talk theyhad about old times, for it did seem quite old to them. They recalledthe day in summer, when the "caravan" went down Broadway to the storewhere Charles had been employed one vacation, and dear old First Street.Biddy Brady, who had danced for them, had run away and married a youngIrishman. Old Mrs. McGiven still sold candies and cakes, andslate-pencils, and, oh, Washington pie that was almost as great anecessity to childhood then, as chewing-gum is now.
Mr. Jasper brought up the pictures when he escorted his wife. There weretwo pretty bits of landscape on the shore of Lake Geneva, and the othera Holland scene, with a stretch of canal and a queer house that lookedas if it might topple over some day, if the foundation was washed out.
"But they never do," explained Daisy. "It's all so curious, and most ofit so clean! And, oh, the windmills, and the queer costumes that havenot changed in a century!"
Beside that there was a water-colour, a study of the most eleganttulips, painted from a real bed.
Hanny was wild with delight. They hung the pictures in her room, thoughDoctor Joe declared they ought to go in his study. He pretended to feelvery badly that Daisy had not done anything for him.
"I will wait until I can paint something really worthy," she repliedwith a bright flush. "I owe you so much, that I ought to give you thevery best. I mean to go on with my lessons. I love the work, and if Ihave any talent, it certainly is that."
"But you used to draw figures, faces," said Hanny, "and they were soreal."
"In the summer I took lessons in miniature painting on ivory. I mustconfess that is my ambition; but it will take years to attain toperfection. I suppose now I ought to go to studying solid branches," andshe laughed lightly. "I've begun wrong end first, with theaccomplishments. But I had to talk German, for mamma wouldn't bother.And as she had not forgotten all her French, she went at that with me,and so I am a tolerable scholar. But I dare say Hanny could twist me allup with mathematics. I only know enough to count change. Still, I amquite an expert in foreign money. And, Hanny, were my sentencesfearfully and wonderfully constructed, and did I slip up often onspelling?"
"I am quite sure you did not," protested Hanny.
"I do suppose she ought to go to a good school," said Mrs. Jasper.
"I am afraid I should not like school now. I could no longer be theheroine. And how could I descend to an ordinary station in life? Oh, Dr.Underhill, can't you interpose on the score of my still delicatehealth."
She had such a pretty colour in her cheeks, and her eyes shone withmerriment.
"Doctor, you really must begin to be severe with her. She has her ownway quite too much."
But it was a very charming way, they all thought. She roused Hanny to anunwonted brightness. Even grandmother laid claim to her, for she wasdelighted with her piquant description of places and people. She hadheard Jenny Lind, and several other noted singers; but it seemed to herthat the ovation to the Swedish Nightingale in New York must have beenmagnificent.
Jim claimed her when he was indoors; and they had many a merry bout. Ithardly seemed possible that the few years could have wrought such achange in her. Ben took glowing accounts to Delia; and although she felthurt and sore over the coolness of the Underhills, she did not abate onejot of her love for Ben.
She had been very busy arranging Nora's wardrobe, and now most of thecare of the house devolved upon her. Mrs. Whitney would read for hoursto Aunt Patty; often the old lady went soundly asleep. To be sure,matters were not attended to with the niceness of Mrs. Underhill; butBarbara was a treasure with her German neatness, and Bridget kept herkitchen at sixes and sevens. Mr. Theodore brought home one guest orthree, with the same indifference; and if Ben's mother could have seenthe cheerful manner in which Delia hurried about and arranged the tableon short notice, she must have modified her opinion a little. Theodorewas quite negligent about money-matters as well. Sometimes he was verylavish; then he would declare he was "dead broke," and she must do thebest she could. Three or four of his friends would be in about ten, andcouldn't she fix up a bit of something?
Sometimes she ran a little in debt; but when the good times came, shewas only too eager to get matters straight. And she was so bright andgay with it all, and made Ben's visits so pleasant, that he sometimesforgot there was any trouble.
She had said decisively that they could not marry yet awhile; and Benhad accepted her fiat. But they did begin to plan for the journeyabroad, and had a good deal of entertainment counting the cost, andconsidering where they would go.
"I should so like to see Daisy Jasper," she said.
"I will ask her to come down," answered Ben.
But Dolly invited them both up one Saturday, when Hanny and Daisy wereto be there to tea. And Daisy told Delia about meeting Nora, and howhappy she was in her new prospects.
She had been a little homesick, she wrote to Delia, but only for a fewhours at a time. Madame Clavier was as careful as any mother could be,fussy, she thought sometimes; but no doubt it was for her good.
Daisy was very attractive to the children until Delia came, when theydeserted their new friend for stories. Delia had not lost her girlishgift.
The Jaspers were a month making up their minds what to do, and thendecided to board until spring at least. Joe found them a very pleasantplace in their neighbourhood, to Hanny's delight. She was so glad to gether dear friend back again, sweet and unchanged; not but what she hadfound several charming girls at school, and some of them were just wildto see that lovely Miss Jasper, so her circle was widening all the time.
Margaret thought she ought to wear long dresses. Girls not quite grownup wore them to their gaiter-tops. Crisp, elegant button-boots had notcome in, like a good many other excellent things. And Hanny wasundeniably petite. Stretch up her very utmost, she hardly measured fivefeet. Women had not, by taking thought, added an inch to their statureby high heels. There were one or two "lifts" put in between the soles,called spring-heels; but the hats helped out a little.
"I haven't grown an inch this year," she declared ruefully. "And I amafraid I never will be any taller. It's queer, when all the rest of youare large."
"You are just right," said her father. "You will be my little girl allyour life long."
Doctor Joe comforted her with the asseveration that he liked littlewomen, "honest and true;" and Daisy also insisted she was just right.
"For you see how admirably your head goes down on my shoulder; and if wewere the same size, we should be bumping heads. Queen Victoria is onlyfive feet, and she is very queenly."
"But I am not queenly."
"No, but you could be, if you set about it."
She had some frocks to wear out that could not be let down; and hermother settled the question according to that for the present.
There was another thing that gave her a vague suspicion of being grownup, and that was cards.
The "quality" used visiting-cards; but it would have been consideredunderbred and pretentious to sow them around in the modern manner. Theywere kept for state occasions. Of course Dolly and Margaret had them;and Hanny thought Joseph B. Underhill, M. D., looked extremely elegant.Jim had some written ones in exquisite penmanship. He had not given upsociety because one girl had proved false and deceitful. He made apoint of bowing distantly to Mrs. Williamson, and flushed even now atthe thought of having been such a ninny!
> Daisy Jasper's name was on her mother's cards. But you couldn't persuadeMrs. Underhill into any such nonsense. She declared if Joe brought herhome any, she would put them in the fire. One day, however, he dropped asmall white box into Hanny's lap, as she sat in his easy-chair, studyingher lessons. It was too small for confectionery; it might be--she hadcoveted a pair of bracelets.
So she looked up with an inquiring smile.
"Open it, and see if they suit."
She was sure then it was bracelets.
There was white tissue-paper and something stiff. She tumbled thecontents out in her lap. A few cards fell the plain side up. She turnedone over. In very delicate script she saw--
"Miss Nan Underhill."
"Oh!" with a cry of delight. They called her Nan altogether atStephen's, and the school-girls wrote her name in that manner. She oftenused it in writing notes. It looked so very attractive now.
"Oh, you lovely Joe!"
"They are nice to use with your girl-friends. There are a great manylittle society regulations that show refinement and good breeding, and Iwant you to observe them. When you get to be a middle-aged woman, HannahAnn will look solid and dignified. I consulted Daisy and Mrs. Jasper,and both approved."
"Just a thousand thanks," and she threw up her arms to bring his facedown within kissing reach.
The long skirt was settled by a rather peculiar circumstance.
We were beginning to have real literary aspirations, and some writerswho attracted attention abroad. Miss Bremer had found a great manythings to like in us; and Jenny Lind had been enthusiastic. SomeEnglishmen of note had been over and found we were not a nation ofsavages or red men, and that the best and highest in English literaturewas not unknown to us. Several of our writers had been abroad; and therewas growing up a spirit of cordiality.
Then Thackeray was coming over to lecture on The English Humourists.Nearly everybody went to reading him. Some because it was, as we shouldsay now, a "fad;" others because they wanted to appear conversant withhis works; and a few because they had learned to understand and to lovethe wonderful touches of the master-pen. Boston received him with openarms. Then he was to visit the principal cities.
Ben and Delia were tremendously interested; and most of their talk wasspiced with bits and quotations, and the telling scenes from his novels.Delia was beginning to have a good deal of discrimination and judgment.Sometimes, in moments of discouragement, she admitted to Ben that shewas afraid she really hadn't any genius. Her novel had been recast everso many times, and still languished.
Ben brought up tickets for Mr. Thackeray's second lecture. He had goneto the first one, and meant to hear them all. Joe must take Hanny, whowould always regret it if she didn't hear him. He had seen Mr. Jasper;and they were all going the same evening.
Joe had meant to hear him. He was fond of hearing and seeing notablepeople, and kept his mind freshened up with all that was going on in thegreat world.
Hanny was delighted, of course, though the fact of listening with Daisybeside her added a great deal. They had an enthusiastic, ratherschool-girlish friendship. Daisy's mind was, of course, the moreexperienced. But with youthful fervor they were training themselves intoperfect accord, _en rapport_, so they could look at each other andunderstand.
There was a really fine audience. And when the large, burly,broad-chested Englishman stepped on the platform, he had a cordial andenthusiastic welcome.
This evening he was at his best. His manner was clear and engaging; hemoved his audience to tears and smiles. There was satire and tendernessand the marvellous insight that made him absolutely personify thewriters he touched upon. The audience was charmed.
Hanny could not decide upon him. She was being won against her will,rather her preconceived notions; and yet her first feelings about himwould return to disturb her. Mr. and Mrs. Jasper were delighted beyondexpression; Joe was deeply interested, though he confessed he did notknow Thackeray as he ought. He had read only one or two of the novelsand the "Yellowplush Papers."
"I am going to read 'Vanity Fair' over again," said Hanny, when theyreached home. "I didn't like it, really and truly."
"You are hardly old enough to enjoy such things," returned Joe. "Even Ihave not made up my mind, and I know I would not have liked them atseventeen. We believe in heroes and great deeds then, and thepossibilities of life look grander to us than they do afterward. Isuppose it is right that we should want to be _pleased_ then."
Hanny felt that she wanted to be pleased with a story, or else verysorry for the misfortunes that no human power could seem to avert. Butwhen mean and shallow and selfish people caused their own trials, werethey worthy of sympathy?
They talked at school with the wide diversity of crude, girlishopinions. The papers were full of him as well.
Ben was one of his enthusiastic admirers. And now they planned to give abanquet,--printers and newspaper-men,--and Mr. Thackeray was to be theguest of the occasion; there was to be a dinner, with some of the brightliterary lights, music, and dancing,--a really grand affair. TheodoreWhitney was on the committee; and Ben had a lesser position. They meantto make it the affair of the season. Joe must surely take tickets. Itwas such a shame Dolly couldn't go; and, of course, Steve wouldn't.John and Cleanthe were not interested in such things; and, afterthinking it over, Mrs. Hoffman declined.
"I shall have to look up a girl," said Joe. "Hanny, you have never beento a ball. Would you like to go?"
"Oh, I think a ball would be splendid! If Daisy could go, or Dolly."
"Yes, Daisy's mother or Dolly would have to go."
That gave him an idea, and he went down to see Mrs. Jasper.
"Why, I really think I would like to go myself," she said. "We do notconsider Daisy quite a grown-up lady. I should like to keep her just ayoung girl for a long while; but, perhaps, that will not be possible."
"Hanny is a very young girl," returned Joe. "And I do not think fathercould stand it to have her grown up. But she keeps so small, I don'tjust know how we should get mother coaxed around. Both girls would enjoyit immensely."
"Oh, she would trust her with Mr. Jasper and me, if we were to takeDaisy. Dear me--one festivity doesn't really signify. And yet--" sheblushed and smiled with a certain girlishness. "They may be dangerous; Iwent to a Christmas ball when I was sixteen, and met Mr. Jasper. I wasout on a holiday,--a mere school-girl."
"I don't believe Hanny or Daisy will find any one to fall in lovewith," said Joe, seriously; "they are so in love with each other."
"Oh, yes. They are planning to live together. There must be asettlement; for both will have to bring their respective families."
Joe was a good deal amused at that.